Apparatus and method for closing hospital bed gaps

ABSTRACT

A patient support is provided. The patient support includes a frame, a mattress supported by the frame, and a set of siderails configured to block egress of a patient from the patient support. The siderails are configured to reduce gaps defined between the siderails and the other components of the patient support.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisionalapplication Serial No. 60/397,342 filed Jul. 19, 2002, and U.S.Provisional application Serial No. 60/314,276 filed Aug. 22, 2001, thedisclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein.

[0002] The present invention relates to patient supports, such ashospital beds. More specifically, the present invention relates to theapparatus and methods for closing gaps that may exist between componentson a patient support.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0003] The detailed description of the drawings particularly refers tothe accompanying figures in which:

[0004]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the intermediate and upperportions of a patient support showing the patient support includingdeck, a mattress positioned on the deck, a footboard, a head board, apair of head end siderails, and a pair of foot end siderails;

[0005]FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the bed of FIG. 1 showing footend and head end siderails cooperating to define a curved gaptherebetween;

[0006]FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 showing a head section of thedeck tilted;

[0007]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the patient support, with the headend siderails removed for clarity; showing a head board adaptor alignedwith an existing pair of posts on the deck and the head board alignedwith a pair of posts on the adaptor;

[0008]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a portion of the patient supportof FIG. 1 showing the foot end siderails coupled to a sub-frame;

[0009]FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the foot end siderail prior to aconversion process;

[0010]FIG. 7 is a partial exploded view of the head end siderails afterthe conversion process showing the siderails including a rail member, apair of rail links rotatably coupling the rail member to the headsection of the deck to permit movement of the rail member between raisedand lowered positions, and a bail pivotably coupled to a lower edge ofthe rail member;

[0011]FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7 showing the siderail in anintermediate position with a flange coupled to one of the rail linkscontacting the bail to rotate the bail upwardly during movement of therail member to the lowered position;

[0012]FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 7 with the deck removed showingthe siderail in the lowered position with the flange urging the bail toa raised position;

[0013]FIG. 10 is a partial exploded view of the foot end siderail afterthe conversion process;

[0014]FIG. 11 is a perspective view of another alternative embodimentpatient support showing the patient support including flaps attached tothe siderails;

[0015]FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the patient support of FIG. 11showing the siderails in a lowered position;

[0016]FIG. 13 is a cross sectional view of the patient support of FIG.11 taken along the line 13-13 of FIG. 11;

[0017]FIG. 14 is a view similar to FIG. 13 showing the flap in a raisedposition;

[0018]FIG. 15 is a cross sectional view of the patient support of FIG.11 taken along the line 15-15 of FIG. 12;

[0019]FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the flap of FIG. 11 showing theside of the flap that faces the siderail;

[0020]FIG. 17 is a perspective view of another alternative embodimentsiderail showing a drop down bar;

[0021]FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the siderail of FIG. 17 in alowered position;

[0022]FIG. 19 is a side elevation view of the siderail of FIG. 17;

[0023]FIG. 20 is a side elevation view of the siderail of FIG. 17 shownperpendicular to the view of FIG. 19;

[0024]FIG. 21 is a side elevation view of the siderail of FIG. 18;

[0025]FIG. 22 is a perspective view of another alternative embodimentpatient support showing the patient support including mattressretainers;

[0026]FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the patient support showing asiderail in a lowered position;

[0027]FIG. 24 is a side elevation view of the siderail showing themattress retainers;

[0028]FIG. 25 is a side elevation view of the siderail of FIG. 23showing the siderail in the lowered position;

[0029]FIG. 26 is a partial diagrammatic view of a patient supportshowing the patient support including a bedframe, a mattress positionedon the bedframe, and a pair of siderails, each of the side railsincluding a notched upper edge;

[0030]FIG. 27 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment patientsupport showing the patient support including a base frame, a deck, amattress positioned on the deck, a footboard, a head board, a pair ofhead end siderails, and a pair of foot end siderails;

[0031]FIG. 28 is a perspective view of the head end of the patientsupport of FIG. 27 showing the head end siderail and the headboardcooperating to define a gap therebetween of equal to or greater than 300millimeters;

[0032]FIG. 29 is a view similar to FIG. 28 showing the headboard removedfrom the bedframe and aligned with a pair of posts on the bedframe;

[0033]FIG. 30 is a side elevation view of rail members of the head andfoot end siderails showing the head end rail member in first and secondpositions;

[0034]FIG. 31 is a view similar to FIG. 30 showing a pair of alternativeembodiment rail members;

[0035]FIG. 32 is a view similar to FIG. 30 showing another pair ofalternative embodiment rail members;

[0036]FIG. 33 is side elevation view of a patient support showing thepatient support including a mattress supported by a bedframe, aheadboard coupled to the bedframe, a footboard coupled to the bedframe,and a pair of siderails coupled to the bedframe;

[0037]FIG. 34 is a perspective view of a siderail showing the siderailincluding a perimeter rail and a plurality of cross members cooperatingwith the perimeter rail to define a plurality of openings through thesiderail, and a plurality of bumpers coupled to the perimeter rail andcross members to limit the width of the openings;

[0038]FIG. 35 is a perspective view of a side rail similar to FIG. 34showing alternative embodiment bumpers coupled to the cross members tolimit the width of the openings and panels positioned in the openings toblock portions of the openings;

[0039]FIG. 36 is a perspective view of another alternative embodimentpatient support showing a patient support including siderail inserts;

[0040]FIG. 37 is a side elevation view of a rail member of the siderailof FIG. 36;

[0041]FIG. 38 is a perspective cut away view of the rail member andsiderail insert of FIG. 36;

[0042]FIG. 39 is a perspective view of another alternative embodimentpatient support showing a patient support including siderails;

[0043]FIG. 40 is a perspective view of the patient support of FIG. 39 inan articulated position;

[0044]FIG. 41 is a perspective view of a rail member of the siderails ofFIG. 39;

[0045]FIG. 42 is a perspective view of a rail member of the siderails ofFIG. 39;

[0046]FIG. 43 is perspective view of another alternative embodimentpatient support showing a patient support including siderails;

[0047]FIG. 44 is a side elevation view of a rail member of the siderailsof FIG. 43;

[0048]FIG. 45 is a perspective view of a rail member of the siderails ofFIG. 43 showing detached bumpers;

[0049]FIG. 46 is a perspective view of another alternative embodimentpatient support showing a patient support including siderails;

[0050]FIG. 47 is a side elevation view of a rail member of the siderailsof FIG. 46;

[0051]FIG. 48 is a perspective view of a rail member of the siderails ofFIG. 46 showing detached bumpers;

[0052]FIG. 49 is a side elevation view of a siderail showing a plasticcover positioned over the siderail to block the openings in thesiderail;

[0053]FIG. 50 is a side elevation view of the plastic cover of FIG. 49before being placed over the siderail;

[0054]FIG. 51 is a side elevation view of a siderail showing a sheet ofplastic material covering the siderail to block the openings in thesiderail;

[0055]FIG. 52 is a perspective view of a roll of the plastic material;

[0056]FIG. 53 is perspective of an alternative embodiment patientsupport showing one of the siderails in a lowered position and apatient-assist arm coupled to an inclined head section of the bedframe;

[0057]FIG. 54 is a side elevation view of another patient supportshowing the patient support including a first siderail coupled to abedframe and a second siderail/headrail combination coupled to thebedframe;

[0058]FIG. 55 is a view similar to FIG. 54 showing the secondsiderail/headrail combination positioned in a lowered position to permitegress of patient from the patient support;

[0059]FIG. 56 is a perspective view of a siderail and an inclined panelcoupled to the siderail and extending between the siderail and amattress;

[0060]FIG. 57 is a side cross-sectional view taken along line 57-57 ofFIG. 56;

[0061]FIG. 58 is a view similar to FIG. 57 showing the siderail in alowered position;

[0062]FIG. 59 is an assembly view of a mattress and deck showing themattress including four rectangular magnets coupled to an undersidethereof and the deck including four pockets sized to receive themagnets;

[0063]FIG. 60 is a partial cross-sectional view of the mattress and deckof FIG. 59;

[0064]FIG. 61 is a view similar to FIG. 60 of an alternative embodimentmattress and deck;

[0065]FIG. 62 is a perspective view of another alternative embodimentpatient support showing the patient support including flaps between thesiderails and the mattress;

[0066]FIG. 63 is a perspective view of the patient support of FIG. 62showing a head end siderail and foot end siderail in a lowered position;

[0067]FIG. 64 is a perspective view of the patient support of FIG. 62showing a head end flap and a foot end flap, both in a lowered position;

[0068]FIG. 65 is a cross sectional view taken along line 65-65 of FIG.63;

[0069]FIG. 66 is a cross sectional view taken along line 66-66 of FIG.64;

[0070]FIG. 67 is a perspective view of a side of a head end flap of FIG.62 that faces the siderail;

[0071]FIG. 68 is a perspective view of a side of the head end flap ofFIG. 67 that faces the mattress;

[0072]FIG. 69 is a perspective view of a side of a foot end flap of FIG.62 that faces the mattress;

[0073]FIG. 70 is a perspective view of a side of the foot end flap ofFIG. 69 that faces the siderail;

[0074]FIG. 71 is a perspective view of another alternative embodimentpatient support showing the patient support including siderails;

[0075]FIG. 72 is a perspective view of a rail member of the siderails ofthe patient support shown in FIG. 71;

[0076]FIG. 73 is a perspective view of another alternative embodimentpatient support showing a patient support including siderails;

[0077]FIG. 74 is a perspective view of the patient support of FIG. 73showing the siderails in a lowered position;

[0078]FIG. 75 is a perspective cut away view of a latch of the siderailof FIG. 73;

[0079]FIG. 76 is a perspective cut away view of the latch of thesiderail of FIG. 74 in the lowered position;

[0080]FIG. 77 is an exploded view of the latch of FIG. 75;

[0081]FIG. 78 is a perspective view of the patient support of FIG. 73showing a patient support including siderails having supplemental railmembers;

[0082]FIG. 79 is a perspective view of the supplemental rail member ofFIG. 78;

[0083]FIG. 80 is a perspective view of a siderail and bolster positionedadjacent to the siderail on a mattress;

[0084]FIG. 81 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 81-81 of FIG.80 showing the bolster coupled to the mattress;

[0085]FIG. 82 is a view similar to FIG. 81 showing the siderail in alowered position;

[0086]FIG. 83 is a perspective view of another alternative embodimentpatient support showing a patient support including siderails;

[0087]FIG. 84 is a perspective view of the patient support of FIG. 83showing the siderails in a lowered position;

[0088]FIG. 85 is a perspective view of the siderail of FIG. 83 showingthe siderail in a latched raised position;

[0089]FIG. 86 is a perspective view of the siderail of FIG. 85 showingthe siderail in an unlatched position;

[0090]FIG. 87 is a perspective view of the siderail of FIG. 85 in thelowered position;

[0091]FIG. 88 is a perspective view of the siderail of FIG. 85 in anegress position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0092] A patient support 10 is shown in FIGS. 1-9. Patient support 10includes a frame 12, a deck 14, a mattress 16 supported by deck 14, headend and foot end siderails 18, 20, a headboard 22, and mattressretainers 24. Mattress retainers 24 are coupled to deck 14 to controlthe gap between mattress 16 and siderails 18, 20 by securing theposition of mattress 16 and maintaining the gap at a constant size. Headend siderails 18 are coupled to a head section 26 of deck 14 and footend siderail 20 are coupled to a sub-frame 28 supported by frame 12.

[0093] Patient support 10 may be produced originally in a manufacturingplant as an OEM bed or by retrofitting an existing patient support suchas the patient support shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,321,878 and 6,320,510,the disclosures of which are expressly incorporated by reference herein.When building an OEM bed, sub-frame 28 is coupled to frame 12 at themanufacturing plant. When retrofitted at the point of use or otherwise,sub-frame 28 is coupled to frame 12 at a location away from themanufacturing plant. During an OEM installation, foot end siderails 20are initially mounted to sub-frame 28. During a non-OEM retrofit, footend siderails 20 are removed from being coupled to a foot section 30 ofdeck 14 and then coupled to sub-frame 28 so that foot end siderails 20no longer articulate with foot section 30.

[0094] As shown in FIG. 4, sub-frame 28 includes a pair of rail bars 32.One rail bar 32 is attached to each side of frame 12 to support eachfoot end siderail 20. Each rail bar includes a body member 34, an I.V.socket 36, and a pin assembly 38. Body member 34 preferably has arectangular or square cross section. I.V. socket 36 is sized and shapedto slide over a cylindrical I.V. mount post 40 of frame 12 positionednear a foot end 42 of patient support 10. I.V. socket 36 includes aspace member 44 and a slide cylinder 46 coupled within space member 44at a first end 48.

[0095] Slide cylinder 46 defines a circular aperture therein. Thecircular aperture has an inner diameter slightly larger than an outerdiameter of cylindrical I.V. mount post 40. Slide cylinder 46 passesover cylindrical I.V. mount post 40 so cylindrical I.V. mount post 40 ispositioned with the circular aperture of slide cylinder 46. Slidecylinder 46 is slightly shorter than cylindrical I.V. mount post 40 suchthat cylindrical I.V. mount post 40 extends out of circular aperture 50when cylindrical I.V. mount post is seated thereon.

[0096] A second end 52 of space member 44 is coupled to a foot end 54 ofbody member 34, preferably by welding. Space member 44 vertically andhorizontally offsets foot end 54 of body member 34 from I.V. mount post40 of frame 12. Head end 56 of body member 34 is coupled to pin assembly38.

[0097] Pin assembly 38 includes a body mount 57 and a frame mount 58.Body mount 57 is coupled to a head end 56 of body member 34 with boltspassing through voids (not shown) defined in body mount 57 and bodymember 34 and nuts fastened to the bolts. Frame mount 58 issubstantially cylindrical having one end coupled to body mount 57 andanother end having a threaded aperture axially defined therein. Thethreaded aperture is aligned with an OEM seat section I.V. socketaperture of patient support 10. A bolt 60 is passed through a washer andthe I.V. socket aperture to threadably engage the threaded aperture andsecure pin assembly 38 to frame 12 of patient support 10 as shown inFIG. 1.

[0098] Sub-frame 28 further includes a symmetric retracting frame crossmember 62. As shown in FIG. 5, cross member 62 includes a laterallyextending middle portion 64, a pair of downwardly extending walls 66(only one is shown in FIG. 5) coupled to opposite ends of middle portion64, and pair of inwardly extending mounting flanges 68 (only one isshown in FIG. 5) coupled to opposite sides of frame 12. According to analternative embodiment of the present disclosure, the mounting flangesextend outwardly from the bottoms of walls 66 and couple to middleportions 60 of rail bodies 34 and are not coupled to frame 12.

[0099] Each rail bar 32 further includes a slide bracket 70 coupled torespective middle portions 60 of rail bodies 34. Slide brackets 70include a substantially flat metal plate 72 that couples to middleportion 60 of rail body member 34 and a pair of rods 74 that extend fromplate 72 and into walls 66.

[0100] Foot end siderails 20 and head end siderails 16 each include arail member 76, 78 and a linkage 80. Linkage 80 includes a plurality ofsupport arms 82, 84 pivotally coupling rail member 76, 78 to a linkagebase 86. Linkage bases 86 of foot end siderails 20 are coupled torespective rods 74 of slide bracket 70 to permit sliding on rods 74.This sliding permits lateral movement of linkage bases 86 and theremainder of foot end siderails 20 relative to deck 14.

[0101] Foot end siderails 20 are coupled to frame 12 through sub-frame28 of the patient support 10 rather than deck 14 of the patient support14 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Therefore, during articulation of footsection 30 of deck 14, foot end siderails 20 remain stationary.

[0102] During a non-OEM assembly, foot end siderails 20 are uncoupledfor foot section 30 of deck 14. Each lateral end of cross member 62 isthen coupled to frame 12 under foot section 30. Rail bars 32 are thencoupled to frame 12 by first inserting I.V. sockets 36 over respectiveI.V. mount posts 40 of frame 12. Frame mounts 58 of pin assemblies 38are then bolted to deck 14 using the previously unused I.V. socketapertures formed in deck 14. Then body members 34 are bolted to bodymounts 57 of pin assemblies 38. In the alternative embodiment, the crossmember is then bolted to the respective body members 34 rather than toframe 12.

[0103] Next, slide brackets 70 of foot end siderails 20 are slide overrods 74. Slide brackets 70 are then bolted to body members 34 tocomplete the relocation of foot end siderails 20 from foot section 30 toframe 12 through sub-frame 28. In an OEM application, it is unnecessaryto uncouple foot end siderails 20 from foot section 30 because they arenever coupled there to begin with.

[0104] Head end rail member 76 includes a steel perimeter frame member88 coupled to respective support arms 82, 84 by a downwardly extendingbracket 90, a two-piece plastic body member 92 coupled to perimeterframe member 88, and a set of plastic canes or covers 94, 96, 98 coupledto perimeter frame member 88. Foot end rail member 78 includes a steelperimeter frame member 110 coupled to respective support arms 82, 84 bya downwardly extending bracket 112, a two-piece plastic body member 114coupled to perimeter frame member 110, and a set of plastic canes orcovers 116, 118, 120 coupled to perimeter frame member 110. Preferably,perimeter frame members 88, 110 are substantially parallelogram-shapedhaving slightly rounded corners. Body members 92, 114 are substantiallyrectangular and are substantially positioned within interior regionsdefined by perimeter frame members 88, 110.

[0105] In an OEM application, covers 94, 96, 98, 116, 118, 120 areinitially coupled to respective frame members 88, 110 at themanufacturing facility. Preferably, end covers 94, 96, 116, 118 areplaced over the ends of respective frame members 88, 110. Then,fasteners, such as screws, are used to couple covers 94, 96, 98, 116,118, 120 to the top and bottom ends of the respective frame members 88,110. In a retrofit application, the original canes (such as canes 118,130, 120 shown in FIG. 6) are first removed from respective framemembers 88, 110 at the point of use or other location. Then, new covers94, 96, 98, 116, 118, 120 are coupled to respective frame members 88,110. The original canes for head end siderail 18 are substantiallysimilar to canes 118, 130, 120 shown in FIG. 6. According to onealternative assembly process, original canes 116, 120 are recoupled toframe member 110 with new cane 118.

[0106] Cane 94 provides head end siderail 18 with a head end that issubstantially vertical and perpendicular relative to a plane defined bydeck 14. Cane 96 provides head end siderail 18 with a foot end shaped asa convex arc. Cane 98 continues this convex arc over body member 92toward the head end. Preferably, this convex arc has a radius ofcurvature 132 equal to the distance between the tangent of the convexarc to a pivot point 134 of head section 26 of deck 14 as shown in FIG.2. Preferably, this distance is about 17.5 inches (444 millimeters).

[0107] Cane 116 provides foot end siderail 20 with a head end shaped asdownwardly facing concave arc. The concave arc is sized and shaped toprovide a gap of constant width between cane 96 and cane 116.Preferably, this gap is about 1.0 inches (25.4 millimeters). Accordingto another embodiment, this gap is less than or equal to 2.4 inches (60millimeters). Preferably, this concave arc has a radius of curvature 136equal to the distance between the tangent of the concave arc to pivotpoint 134 of head section 26 of deck 14. Preferably, this distance isabout 18.5 inches (470 millimeters).

[0108] Head end siderail 18 is coupled to deck 14 that articulates. Footend siderail 20 is coupled to frame 12 via sub-frame 28 that does notarticulate. The convex arc of cane 96 and the concave arc of cane 116complement one another during rotation of head section 26 of deck 14 tomaintain the gap at the constant width between cane 96 and cane 116 asthe patient support articulates.

[0109] As shown in FIG. 7, head end siderail 18 also includes a bailassembly 138 coupled to bracket 90 of rail member 76. Bail assembly 138includes a bracket 140 coupled to an outer wall of bracket 90, a pair ofplates 142, 144 coupled to bracket 140 and canes 94, 96, and a bail 146located below rail member 76 and canes 94, 96. Bail 146 includes aplurality of bail flaps 148 and a bail rod 150 pivotably coupled tobracket 140 and canes 94, 96. Each bail flap 148 defines a plane and isfixedly coupled to bail rod 150 so as to be coplanar with each of theother bail flaps 148. Bail flaps 148 rotate about a longitudinal axiswith bail rod 150 to assume first and second positions. By virtue ofeach of bail flaps 148 being fixedly coupled to bail rod 150, bail flaps148 rotate as one.

[0110] In a first position, as shown in FIG. 7, bail flaps 148 extendoutward from plates 142, 144. When head end siderail 18 is moved towarda lowered position, as shown in FIG. 8, bail flaps 148 are pushed up bya bracket 152 and moved toward plates 142, 144. When head end siderail18 is moved to the lowered position, as shown in FIG. 9, bail flaps 148are substantially vertical and are positioned in pockets 154 defined inbail 146. Bail 146 is preferably spring loaded or otherwise biasedtoward the first position. Thus, when head end siderail 18 is returnedto the raised position, bail flaps 148 are returned to the firstposition shown in FIG. 7. When in the first position, bail flaps 148reduce a gap between head end siderail 18 and mattress 16 positioned ondeck 14.

[0111] Head end siderail 18 is lowered by clocking head end siderail 18.Clocking head end siderail 18 causes bracket 152 to abut bail flap 148.As head end siderail 18 continues to lower, bracket 152 continues toraise relative to bail 146. Raising bracket 152 urges bail flap 148 andbail rod 150 to rotate and ultimately assume the first position of bail146. When bail 146 is in first position, head end siderail 18 can movewithout bail 146 contacting mattress 16 or deck 14.

[0112] Preferably an OEM headboard (shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,320,510and 6,321,878) is similarly replaced with headboard 22 that presentssides substantially perpendicular to the plane defined by deck 14 asshown in FIG. 1. The sides of headboard 22 and head end of head endsiderail 18 are substantially parallel when patient support 10 is in thereclined position. Headboard 22 is sized to maintain a gap betweenheadboard 22 and head end of head end siderail 18 of greater than 11.82inches (300 millimeters).

[0113] To removably couple headboard to frame 12, an adaptor bracket 156is provided as shown in FIG. 4. Bracket 156 includes a body 158, firstand second frame attachments 160, 162 and two headboard attachments 164.Body 158 is preferably a piece of an angle iron sized and shaped to situpon a head member 166 of frame 12. Head member 166 includes a twoheadboard posts 168 and a two I.V. mounts 170.

[0114] First and second frame attachments 160, 162 are cylindrical andhave apertures defined therein. The apertures are sized to receiveheadboard posts 168 of head member 166 therein. Bracket 156 is placedover head member 166 such that each of headboard posts 168 is receivedwithin one of the apertures of first and second frame attachments 160,162. When so placed, cylindrical headboard attachments 164 aresubstantially vertical.

[0115] Headboard 22 includes a pair of mount apertures formed on abottom edge thereof. The mount apertures are sized, shaped, and spacedto simultaneously receive both headboard attachments 164 therein. Forinstallation, headboard 22 is positioned such that each mount apertureis positioned above a headboard attachment 164 and then headboard 22 islowered such that headboard attachments 164 enter the mount apertures.

[0116] An alternative embodiment patient support 1610 is shown in FIGS.11-16. Patient support 1610 includes a deck 1618, a mattress 1616positioned on deck 1618, siderails 1614 coupled to deck 1618, and flaps1612 coupled to siderails 1614 and positioned on mattress 1616. Flaps1612 include base plates 1620, flap members 1622, and hinges 1624. Baseplates 1620 are fixedly coupled to siderails 1614 and flap members 1622are hingedly coupled to base plates 1620 via hinges 1624. Each flap 1612is configured to block a gap 1626 defined between siderail 1614 andmattress 1616. Flaps 1612 span gap 1626 when siderails 1614 are in araised position. As shown in FIG. 13, when siderail 1614 is raised, flapmember 1622 assumes a down position and contacts mattress 1616. Loweringsiderails 1614 causes flap members 1622 to rotate via hinges 1624relative to base plate 1620 and assume a raised position as shown inFIGS. 12 and 15. When in the lowered position, siderails 1614 and flap1612 permit patient entry and egress. When siderails 1614 are raised,flap member 1622 remains in the raised position, as shown in FIG. 14,until a force (applied by gravity, a caregiver, or patient) acts uponflap member 1622 and it falls to the lowered position shown in FIG. 13.Alternatively, flap member 1622 contacts mattress 1616 as it raises andchanges position as siderail 1614 changes position.

[0117] An alternative embodiment siderail 1660 is shown in FIGS. 17-21including a rail extension 1692. Siderails 1660 are configured to becoupled to a deck (not shown). Each siderail 1660 is configured to movebetween raised blocking positions, as shown in FIG. 17, and loweredegress positions, to permit entry and egress of patients into and out ofa patient support, as shown in FIG. 18. Each siderail 1660 includes arail member 1664, linkage assembly 1666, and a deck mount 1662configured to mount to the underside of a deck. Linkage assembly extendsbetween rail member 1664 and deck mount 1662 and permits rail member1664 to be moved between the raised and lowered positions.

[0118] Rail member 1664 is an elongated, substantially flat piece ofmetal, plastic, or combination thereof. Rail member 1664 has two ends1668, 1670, an upper side 1672, a lower side 1674, an inner side 1676that faces a mattress (not shown), and an outer side 1680. Rail member1664 also has apertures 1682 defined therein near each end 1668, 1670.Because of the clearance provided by apertures 1682, rail member 1664define relatively thin handles 1684 suitable for grasping by a user.

[0119] The bottom of each handle 1684 further has a void 1686 definedtherein. Void 1686 is sized to receive a screw, bolt, rivet, or othersuitable fastener 1688 that couples a rail extension holder 1690 to railmember 1664. Rail extension 1692 is rotatably coupled to rail extensionholder 1690. Preferably, rail extension 1692 is a shaped metal rod asshown in FIGS. 17-21. Rail extension holder 1690 allows rail extension1692 to assume a plurality of positions relative to rail member 1664during raising and lower of rail member 1664.

[0120] Linkage assembly 1666 is attached to inner side 1676 of railmember 1664. Linkage assembly 1666 includes two link members 1694. Linkmembers 1694 are substantially identical angled metal or plastic pieces.First ends 1696 of link members 1694 have axles 1698 extendingtherefrom. Axles 1698 rotatably couple to rail members 1664 so as torotatably couple link members 1694 to rail members 1664. Likewise,second ends 1700 of link members 1694 have axles 1702 extendingtherefrom. Axles 1702 rotatably couple to deck mount 1662.

[0121] Rail member 1664 may assume a plurality of positions relative todeck 1662 such as a raised position, shown in FIGS. 17, 19 and 20, alowered position, shown in FIGS. 18 and 21, and intermediate positions.When rail member 1664 is in the raised position, rail extension 1692 isable to assume a lowered position hanging from rail member 1664. Railextension 1692 blocks a gap defined between rail member 1664 and amattress (not shown). When rail member 1664 is lowered, link members1694 contact rail extension 1692. After initial contact between railextension 1692 and link member 1694, further lowering of rail member1664 causes rail extension 1692 to rotate within extension holder 1690towards a raised position shown in FIG. 18. Thus, rail extension 1692does not impede the movement of rail member 1664 between the raised andlowered positions. When rail member 1664 is in a fully lowered position,rail extension 1692 is in a fully raised position relative to railmember 1164. When rail extension 1692 is not in a fully loweredposition, the rotational position of rail extension 1692 is dictated bycontact with link members 1694 and contact between rail extension 1692and link members 1694 remains constant.

[0122] Another embodiment patient support 1910 is shown in FIGS. 22-25.Patient support 1910 includes mattress retainers 1912 similar tomattress retainers 1862, siderails 1914, a mattress 1916, and a deck1918. Siderails 1914 include rail members 1920 and linkages 1922 thatcouple rail members 1920 to deck 1918. Linkages 1922 include two linkagemembers 1924 and lever members 1926 fixedly coupled to each linkagemember 1924. As shown in FIG. 24, mattress retainers 1912 include basemembers 1928, height adjust sliders 1930 slidably coupled to basemembers 1928, retainer members 1932 fixedly coupled to base members 1928and slidably coupled to deck 1918, and springs 1934 that surroundportions of retainer members 1932.

[0123] Connector pins 1936 are provided that are positioned in connectorvoids 1938 formed in height adjust sliders 1930 to slidably couple basemember 1928 to slider 1930. Height adjust sliders 1930 are rotatablycoupled to lever members 1926. Deck 1918 has a pair of apertures 1940defined therein through which retainer member 1932 extends.

[0124] Retainer members 1932 are preferably rigid U-shaped metal wiresor rods. A base 1942 of U-shaped retainer member 1932 is positionedabove deck 1918 so as to allow tines 1944 of U-shaped retainer member1932 to extend through apertures 1940 of deck 1918 and cores of coilsprings 1934 and couple to base member 1928. Each mattress retainer 1912is configured to limit or block a gap between siderail 1914 and mattress1916. Mattress retainers 1912 achieve the limiting of gaps by securingthe positioning of mattress 1916. Mattress retainers 1912 engage sidesof mattress 1916 to prevent lateral mattress 1916 shifting. Furthermore,retainers 1912 block the compression of the upper corners of mattress1916 when a patient lies near siderail 1914. According to alternativeembodiments of the present disclosure, retainers are provided adjacentthe foot end siderails, if any.

[0125] Mattress retainers 1912 are configured to retract or lower whensiderails 1914 are moved to a lowered position as shown in FIG. 23. Bylowering retainer 1912 when siderail 1914 is lowered, retainer 1912 nolonger presents an obstacle to the entry or egress of a patient.

[0126] As shown in FIG. 24, to lower siderail 1914 from a raisedsiderail position, rail member 1920 is urged in direction 1946 and“clocks” toward the lowered position. Movement of siderail 1914 indirection 1946 causes linkage members 1924 to rotate counterclockwise indirection 1948. Rotation of linkage members 1924 in a counterclockwisedirection causes attached lever members 1926 to rotate therewith.Rotation of lever members 1926 cause attached height adjustment sliders1930 to move therewith. Height adjustment sliders 1930 are able to slidehorizontally relative to base members 1928 because of elongatedconnection voids 1938 of sliders 1930 and connector pins 1936 of basemembers 1938 so that only the vertical component of the rotation oflever members 1926 is translated to base members 1938.

[0127] Base members 1938 then lower in direction 1950 as urged by heightadjustment members 1930 and springs 1934 that bias base members 1938toward deck 1918 are expanded. Thus, as rail members 1920 are lowered,retainer members 1932 are likewise lowered as shown in FIG. 25.Conversely, raising of rail member 1920 by rotating rail member 1920clockwise in direction 1952 causes retain member 1932 to raise indirection 1954 as shown in FIG. 25 to the position shown in FIG. 24.

[0128] Another patient support 510 is provided in FIG. 26. Patientsupport 510 includes a bedframe including a base frame (not shown), andintermediate frame 512 supported above the base frame by lift arms 514,and an articulating deck 516 supported on intermediate frame 512.Patient support 510 further includes a head end siderail 518 coupled toa head section 520 of deck 516 and an intermediate siderail 522 coupledto intermediate frame 512.

[0129] Each siderail 518, 522 includes an upper edge 524, 526 thatincludes a substantially flat portion 528, 530 and a notched portion532, 534. Additionally, siderail 518 includes an left-most edge 536 thatincludes a circular portion 538 and upper edge 526 of side rail 522includes a circular portion 540. Circular portions 538, 540 have radiiof curvature that extend from an axis of rotation 542 of head section520 of deck 516.

[0130] Notched portion 534 permits a portion 544 of siderail 518positioned nearest a foot end of patient support 510 to rotate furtherabout axis of rotation 542 before a gap 546 between portion 544 andsiderail 522 begins to close. Thus, head section 520 of deck 516 canrotate further about axis of rotation 542. Circular portions 538, 540permit siderail 518 to rotate relative to siderail 522 without gap 546narrowing.

[0131] Notched portions 532, 534 define a distance 535 between theirrespective vertically extending edges 537, 539 that is at least 318 mm(12.5 inches). Gap 546 is preferably between 25 mm (1 inch) and 60 mm(2.4 inches). By providing notched portions 532, 534, a caregiver isprovided easier access to a patient positioned on the mattress.

[0132] According to an alternative embodiment of the present disclosure,notched portion 532 of upper edge 524 is not provided and a left-mostedge 545 (partially shown in phantom) is provided that is the inverse ofnotched portion 534 of side rail 522. Thus, when head section 520 andsiderail 518 are rotated to the inclined position, left-most edge 545 isparallel to notched portion 532 of upper edge 524 and spaced equidistanttherefrom.

[0133] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a patientsupport 410 is provided with head and foot end siderails 416, 418, aheadboard 478 shown in FIGS. 27-29. Headboard 478 includes a pair ofsubstantially vertical side edges 480, 482, a horizontal top edge 484,and a pair of angled edges 486, 488 extending between side edges 480,482and top edge 484. When a mattress 719 is positioned on a deck 720,vertical edges 480, 482 are positioned below the upper surface ofmattress 719.

[0134] As shown in FIG. 28, head end siderail 416 includes a side edge490 having upper and lower angled portions 492, 494. Lower angledportion 494 of siderail 416 and angled edge 486 cooperate to define agap 496 therebetween of a consistent distance. Preferably, this distanceis greater than or equal to 318 mm (12.5 inches). Headboard 478 includesa pair of apertures sized to receive posts 470 on an intermediate frame432.

[0135] An alternative pair of head and foot end siderail members 918,920 is shown in FIG. 31. Foot end siderail member 920 includes acircular end edge 922 that peaks and travels downward before meeting asubstantially flat edge 924.

[0136] An alternative embodiment pair of head and foot end siderails1450, 1452 is provided in FIG. 32. Head and foot end siderails 1450,1452 including a pair of substantially flat, parallel surfaces 1454,1456. Foot end siderail 1452 includes an upper circular corner 1458having a radius of curvature of approximately 8.5 inches and a lowerrounded corner 1460. When head end siderail 1450 is in the loweredposition, surfaces 1454, 1456 are spaced apart by more than 25 mm, butless than 60 mm. Because of upper circular corner 1458, as head end siderail 1450 is raised, this gap remains greater than 25 mm. Additionaldetails of how siderails 1450, 1452 are coupled to the deck are providedwith the disclosure for patient support 210.

[0137] A patient support 610 is shown in FIG. 33 for supporting apatient before, after, or during medical treatment or for resting.Patient support 610 includes a bedframe 612, a mattress 614 supported bybedframe 612, a headboard 616 coupled to bedframe 612, a footboard 618coupled to bedframe 612, and a pair of siderails 620, 622 also coupledto bedframe 612. Gaps may exist between these components. For example, aheadboard/siderail gap 624 is defined between headboard 616 and siderail620. Other similar gaps may exist between siderails 620, 622 andfootboard 618. A headboard/mattress gap 626 is defined between headboard616 and mattress 614. Other similar gaps may exist between siderails620, 622 and mattress 614. Furthermore, gaps or openings 627 may alsoexist in headboard 616, footboard 618, and siderail 620, 622 themselves.According to the present disclosure, various apparatus and methods areprovided to reduce or eliminate these and other gaps and openings onpatients supports.

[0138] As shown in FIG. 34, a siderail 628 includes a perimeter rail630, a pair of vertical cross members 632 extending between upper andlower portions 634, 636 of perimeter rail 630, and a Z-shaped insert 638the covers respective upper and lower portions of vertical cross members632 and extends therebetween. Perimeter rail 630, cross members 632, andinsert 638 cooperate to define openings 640, 642 in siderail 628.

[0139] Bumpers 644 are provided to decrease the width of openings 640,642. For example, two bumpers 644 are coupled to insert 638 to decreasethe width of the upper and side portions of opening 640. A bumper 644 iscoupled to insert 638 to decrease the width of opening 642.Alternatively, bumpers 644 may be coupled to other locations on siderail628. For example, as shown in the lower right-hand portion of rail 628,bumper 644 is coupled to perimeter rail 630. According to the preferredembodiment of the present disclosure, bumpers 644 are provided so that acone having a maximum diameter of 120 mm cannot pass through openings640, 642. Thus, after installation of bumpers 644, the maximum open areain the siderail does not exceed 120 mm in diameter.

[0140] Preferably, bumpers 644 include a rigid base 648 and a complianttop 650 made of a rubber material coupled to base 648. Base 648 ispreferably coupled to rail 628 by a screw (not shown). According toalternative embodiments of the present disclosure, the bumpers arecoupled to the siderails by other types of fasteners such as adhesives,bolts, rivets, or other fasteners known to those of ordinary skill inthe art.

[0141] According to one installation procedure, bumpers 644 areinstalled to siderail 628 at the location of use of siderail 628, suchas a hospital or other care facility, after siderail 628 and theremainder of the accompanying bed have been transported to the carefacility. According to another installation procedure, bumpers 644 areinstalled at the manufacturing facility before shipment to the carefacility.

[0142] An alternative embodiment bumper 650 is shown in FIG. 35. Bumper650 is formed from a rubber material in a half-cylinder shape and iscoupled to insert 638 by a screw 652. According to an alternativearrangement, bumpers 650 are coupled to other locations on siderail 628such as on the inner surfaces of perimeter rail 630 or cross members 632to decrease the width of openings 640, 642. Alternatively, these bumpers650 may be coupled to siderail 628 using the other fasteners andinstallation procedures described for bumpers 644 mentioned above.

[0143] A plurality of panels 654, 656 are also provided that partiallyfill opening 640. Panels 654, 656 are configured to reduce to the widthof opening 640. According to alternative embodiments of the presentdisclosure, additional panels are provided that entirely fill openings640 and either partially or completely fill openings 642. Preferably,panels 654, 656 are made of a transparent material such aspolycarbonate, Lexan-brand plastic, Plexiglas-brand plastic, or othermaterial. According to other alternative embodiments, the panels aremade of translucent or opaque materials.

[0144] Another alternative embodiment patient support 2060 is shown inFIG. 36. Patient support 2060 includes a deck 2066, a mattress 2068positioned on deck 2066, and foot and head end siderails 2062, 2064coupled to deck 2066. Siderails 2062, 2064 include a rail member 2070and linkages 2072 coupling rail member 2070 to deck 2066. Rail member2070 includes a perimeter rail 2074, a central body 2076 fixed toperimeter rail 2074, and inserts 2078 removably coupled to perimeterrail 2074. Central body 2076 is coupled within an interior of perimeterrail 2074. Central body 2076 and perimeter rail 2074 cooperate to defineopenings 2080 in siderails 2062, 2064.

[0145] Inserts 2078 are provided to decrease the width of openings 2080.Inserts 2078 include a rail engagement side 2082. Rail engagement side2082 includes a rail track 2084 and two track walls 2086 as shown inFIG. 38. Rail track 2084 is a recessed area approximately the width ofperimeter rail 2074. When positioned adjacent rail 2074, rail trackwalls 2086 engage perimeter rail 2074. Preferably, when inserts arepositioned in openings 2080, a cylinder having a diameter of 60 mm orgreater cannot be inserted into opening 2080.

[0146] Another alternative embodiment siderail 2110 is shown in FIG. 39.Siderails 2110 include a rail member 2112 and linkages 2114 couplingrail member 2112 to deck 2116. Rail member 2112 includes a perimeterrail 2118, a central body 2120 fixed to perimeter rail 2118, and inserts2122 coupled to perimeter rail 2118. Central body 2120 is coupled withinan interior of perimeter rail 2118. Central body 2120 and perimeter rail2118 cooperate to define openings 2124 in siderails 2110.

[0147] Inserts 2122 are provided to decrease the width of openings 2124.Inserts 2122 are preferably metal tubes bent to the shape shown best inFIGS. 41 and 42. Inserts 2122 include a short side 2126, a long side2128, and an end 2130 linking the two sides 2126, 2128. Perimeter rails2118 have pairs of apertures 2132 configured to receive ends of sides2126, 2128 of inserts 2122. Inserts 2122 are attached to perimeter rails2118 with fasteners that extend through apertures 2132. Inserts 2122extend from perimeter rails 2118 into openings 2124 to decrease thewidth of openings 2124. Preferably, when inserts 2122 are positioned inthe openings, a cylinder having a diameter of 60 mm or greater cannot beinserted into the openings.

[0148] Alternative embodiment inserts 2134, 2136 are shown in FIGS.43-45. Inserts 2134, 2135 are similar to insert 2078 but designed to fitsiderail 2110. Inserts 2134, 2136 have rail engagement sides 2136including rail tracks 2138, rail track walls 2140, and a void 2142defined therein as shown in FIG. 45. Rail tracks 2138 are a recessedarea approximately the width of perimeter rail 2118. When inserts 2134,2136 are positioned adjacent rail 2118, rail track walls 2140 engageperimeter rail 2118. Inserts 2134, 2136 are coupled to rail 2118 byfasteners, adhesives, or other couplers known to those of ordinary skillin the art. Preferably, when inserts 2134, 2136 are positioned in theopenings, a cylinder having a diameter of 60 mm or greater cannot beinserted into the openings.

[0149] Another alternative embodiment insert 2144 is shown in FIGS.46-48. Insert 2144 is similar to inserts 2134, but extend to fill twocorners. Insert 2144 has rail engagement sides 2146, rail tracks 2148,rail track walls 2150, and voids 2152 defined therein as shown in FIG.48. Insert 2144 is designed to attach within two rounded 90-degreecorners of perimeter rail 2118. Inserts 2144 are coupled to rail 2118 byfasteners, adhesives, or other couplers known to those of ordinary skillin the art. Preferably, when inserts 2144 are positioned in theopenings, a cylinder having a diameter of 60 mm or greater cannot beinserted into the openings.

[0150] As shown in FIG. 49, a siderail 658 is provided with a clearplastic cover 698. Plastic cover 698 is a sleeve that slides oversiderail 658 to block openings 664, 666. When a new patient ispositioned on the associated patient support, plastic cover 698 isremoved and replaced with a new or cleaned plastic cover. At least oneedge 699 of cover 698 is open to permit placement of cover 698 oversiderail 58. Fasteners, such as hook-and-loop type fasteners areprovided to hold open edge 699 together after placement of cover 698over siderail 658. According to alternative embodiments of the presentdisclosure, other types of fasteners are provided to hold the open edgetogether such as adhesives, straps, ties, button, snaps, or otherfasteners known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

[0151] Siderail 658 is provided with another embodiment clear plasticcover 710 shown in FIG. 51. Cover 710 is a clear plastic sheet ofmaterial that is wrapped around siderail 658 from a roll 712 of plasticsheet. An example of such a plastic sheet of material is plastic shrinkwrap used for packing.

[0152] According to one alternative embodiment, the plastic sheet isthermally reactive and shrinks in reaction to heat. Such plasticmaterials are commonly used to cover windows during cold months. Aftersiderail 658 is wrapped, a heat source (such as a hair dryer) is used toblow hot air over the sheet. The sheet then shrinks to form a tight fitover siderail 658. When a new patient uses the patient support, theplastic sheet is removed and replaced with a new wrapping of plasticmaterial.

[0153] According to an alternative embodiment of the present disclosure,patient support 210 is provided with a patient-assist arm 244 as shownin FIG. 53. Patient-assist arm 244 is pivotally coupled to a headsection of the articulating deck to move therewith. Preferably,patient-assist arm is raised when the siderail is lowered to providesomething for the patient positioned on patient assist to grab whenentering or exiting patient support 210.

[0154] Patient-assist arm 244 pivots about an axis of rotation 246 thatis located in a vertical plane and at an angle of 45° relative to thehead section of the deck. Thus, when patient-assist arm 244 is movedfrom a raised position, as shown in FIG. 53, to a lowered positiontucked under the head section of the deck, a handle portion 248 ofpatient-assist arm 244 moves transversely away from mattress 222 untilpatient assist arm 244 is in the same plane as the head section. Aspatient-assist arm 244 is rotated further toward the lowered position,handle portion 248 moves transversely toward mattress 222. Furthermore,as patient-assist arm 244 is lowered, handle portion 248 moves toward ahead end of patient support 210.

[0155] Additional disclosure of patient-assist arm 244 and configurationfor coupling and latching patient-assist arm to a deck section isprovided in U.S. Pat. No. 5,060,327 to Celestina et al, the disclosureof which is expressly incorporated by reference herein. According toalternative embodiments of the present disclosure, other configurationsof patient-assist arms are coupled to the head section of the deck usingthe angled pivot arrangement shown U.S. Pat. No. 5,060,327. According toanother embodiment, the patient-assist arms shown in U.S. Pat. No.6,240,583, filed Nov. 9, 1999 to Brooke et al. are coupled to the headsection to rotate about the angle pivot. Alternatively, the patientassist arms are coupled to the head section using the couplingconfiguration provided in U.S. Pat. No. 6,240,583, the disclosure ofwhich is expressly incorporated by reference herein.

[0156] Another patient support 810 is provided in FIG. 54. Patientsupport 810 includes a bedframe 812 including a base frame 814 andintermediate frame 716 supported above base frame 814 by lift arms 718,and an articulating deck 720 supported on intermediate frame 716.

[0157] Patient support 810 further includes a foot end siderail 816coupled to deck 720. According to an alternative embodiment of thepresent disclosure, the foot end siderail is coupled to the intermediateframe. Patient support 810 further includes a head end siderail/headrail818 that is positioned on each side of head section 724 and around theend of head section 724. Rail 818 is pivotally coupled to intermediateframe 716 by a support arm 820. As shown in FIG. 55, rail 818 isconfigured to move to a lowered position permitting egress of a patientfrom patient support 810. According to alternative embodiments of thepresent disclosure, the rail is coupled to the head section of the deck.

[0158] A portion of a patient support is shown in FIG. 56 along with ablocker 344 coupled to perimeter rail 332 of siderails 324, 328 by apair of straps 346. Blocker 344 includes a rigid back panel 348 and afoam panel 350 coupled to back panel 348. Panels 348, 350 are formed toinclude a plurality of apertures 352 therein to facilitate seeingthrough blocker 344. According to alternative embodiments of the presentdisclosure, other sizes, and shapes of apertures, if any, are provided.

[0159] As shown in FIG. 57, blocker 344 covers or blocks access to a gap354 between siderails 324, 328 and a mattress 356 when siderails 324,328 are in the raised position. When siderails 324, 328 are rotated tothe lowered position, blocker 344 rotates to the outside of siderail324, 328 as shown in FIG. 58. When siderails 324, 328 are raised again,blocker 344 is flipped back over siderails 324, 328 to the positionshown in FIG. 57. According to alternative embodiments of the presentdisclosure, the blocker is provided with only a clear rigid panel.

[0160] Another deck 1046 and mattress 1048 are shown in FIG. 59. Deck1046 includes a plurality of voids 1050 sized to receive magnets 1052coupled to mattress 1048 to prevent transverse shifting of mattress 1048on deck 1046. According to alternative embodiments of the presentdisclosure, the deck is an articulating deck such as deck 14 describedabove.

[0161] As shown in FIG. 60, deck 1046 includes a plastic deck panel 1054and a steel receptacle 1056 coupled to an underside of panel 1054. Deckpanel 1054 includes an aperture 1058 and receptacle 1056 include adepression 1060 that cooperates with aperture 1058 to define voids 1050sized to receive magnet 1052. Because receptacle 1056 is made of aferrous metal, magnet 1052 is attracted to receptacle 1056 and “sticks”thereto. According to alternative embodiments of the present disclosure,a flat metal plate is provided in place of the metal receptacles.According to an alternative embodiment, the deck is made of steel andformed to include channels to receive magnets 1052.

[0162] Mattress 1026 includes a layer of tick or a cover 1062, a firebarrier 1064, and a foam core 1066 positioned in fire barrier 1064.According to alternative embodiments, other core configurations known tothose of ordinary skill in the art are provided. A plastic panel 1068 isadhered to core 1066 and a plywood board 1070 is sandwiched betweenplastic panel 1068 and core 1066. A screw 1072 is driven through magnet1052, cover 1062, fire barrier 1064, plastic panel 1068, and into board1070 to couple magnets 1052 to mattress 1048. Preferably, magnets 1052are flexible and are 8 inches long, 1.5 inches wide, and 0.25 inchesthick.

[0163] To couple mattress 1026 to deck 1046, mattress 1026 is firstpositioned on deck 1026. Mattress 1026 is then slid transversely untilmagnets 1052 “drop” into voids 1050 and stick to metal receptacles 1056.Because deck panel 1054 is plastic, magnets 1052 are not attracted topanel 1054 and slide freely on panel 1054. In addition to the attractionof magnets 1052 to metal receptacles 1056, the interaction of the edgesof magnets 1052 with the edges defining voids 1050 prevents transversemovement of mattress 1026. To remove mattress 1026, magnets 1052 arelifted out of voids 1050 against the magnetic force between magnets 1052and receptacles 1056.

[0164] An alternative embodiment deck 1074, magnet 1076, and receptacle1078 are shown in FIG. 61. A plastic deck panel 1080 of deck 1074 andreceptacle 1078 include inclined edges 1082, 1084 that define anundercut that receive an inclined edge 1086 of magnet 1076. After magnet1076 drops into void 1088 defined by panel 1080 and receptacle 1078, anymovement of mattress 1026 in direction 1090 pulls inclined edge 1086into the undercut. Contact between inclined edges 1086, 1082, 1084prevents any further movement of mattress 1026 and locks magnets 1076against being withdrawn from void 1088. To remove magnet 1076, it mustbe slide in direction 1092 until magnet 1076 clears the undercut.According to alternative embodiments, the receptacle is a flat metalplate.

[0165] An alternative embodiment patient support 1510 is shown in FIGS.62-66. Patient support 1510 includes a deck 1520, a mattress 1518,siderails 1516, and a pair of flaps 1512, 1514 coupled to deck 1520.Flaps 1512, 1514 are positioned between siderails 1516 and mattress 1518as shown in FIG. 62. Each flap 1512, 1514 reduces the width of gaps1522, 1523 defined between siderails 1516 and mattress 1518. Flaps 1512,1514 reside within gap 1522 between siderails 1516 and mattress 1518when siderails 1516 are in a raised position as shown in FIG. 62 andthereby block and/or reduce the size of gap 1523 as shown in FIG. 65.

[0166] As shown in FIGS. 67 and 68, each flap 1512, 1514 includes a baseplate 1536, latch 1538, latch pivot pin 1540 pivotably coupling latch1538 to base plate 1536, spring positioned between latch 1538 and baseplate 1536, and hinges 1544. Base plates 1536 of head end flap 1512 andfoot end flap 1514 couple to deck 1520.

[0167] Head end flap 1512 includes a main flap 1524 and an auxiliaryflap 1526 that is pivotable relative to main flap 1524 at a pivot 1532between main and auxiliary flaps 1524, 1526. Main flap 1524 is attachedto and extends along a head section 1528 of patient support 1510.Auxiliary flap 1526 extends along a seat section 1530 of patient support1510. Pivot 1532 is positioned above a pivot 1534 of head section 1528and seat section 1530. As head section 1528 articulates relative to seatsection 1530, flaps 1524, 1526 maintain their positions relative totheir respective sections 1528, 1530 of patient support 1510 as shown inFIG. 63.

[0168] Lowering siderails 1516 allows main flap 1524 to rotate viahinges 1544 relative to deck 1520 and assume a lowered position as shownin FIG. 64. When in the lowered position, siderails 1516 and flaps 1524do not block egress of a patient.

[0169] Flaps 1512, 1514 are preferably detachable from the rest of thepatient support to permit removal of flaps 1512, 1514 from deck 1520.Latches 1538 and base plates 1536 removably clamp flaps 1512, 1514 todeck 1520. Base plates 1536 include a hook portion or a plurality ofhook portions 1546 that engage a side of deck 1520 as shown in FIGS. 69and 70. Latch 1538 also has a hook portion 1548. Latch 1538 has a firstposition wherein latch 1538 engages a top of deck 1520 and a secondposition wherein latch 1538 disengages deck 1520. Spring 1542 urgeslatch 1538 to the first position where latch 1538 and hook portions1546, 1548 combine to clamp flaps 1512, 1514 to deck 1520. To removeflaps 1512, 1514 from deck 1520, latch 1538 is placed in second positionto disengage latch 1538 from deck 1520 and allow flaps 1512, 1514 to beremoved. Raising siderail 1516 causes siderail 1516 to contact and raiseflaps 1512, 1514 in direction of arrow 1550 as shown in FIG. 67.

[0170] Another embodiment patient support 1960 is shown in FIG. 71.Patient support 1960 includes a deck 1966, a mattress 1964 positioned ondeck 1966, and siderails 1962 coupled to deck 1966. Siderails 1962include rail members 1968 and linkages 1970 that couple rail members1968 to deck 1966. Each rail member 1968 includes a vertical portion1972 and a horizontal wedge portion 1974 coupled to vertical portion1972 near a head end 1976 of rail member 1968. Wedge portion 1974extends into mattress 1964 when siderail 1962 is in a raised positionand slightly compress mattress 1964. Wedge portion 1974 blocks a gapdefined between mattress 1964 and head end of rail member 1968.

[0171] Another alternative embodiment siderail 2210 is shown in FIGS. 73and 74. Siderails 2210 include a rail member 2212 and a couplermechanism 2214 coupling rail member 2212 to deck 2216. Rail member 2212includes an upright portion 2218, preferably a U-shaped tube constructedfrom metal or stiff plastic, and an attachment portion 2220. Attachmentportion 2220 is preferably a flat plate that extends between tines 2222of upright portion 2218 and has an attachment void 2221 and a lock void2223. Coupler mechanism 2214 includes a deck mount 2224 configured toattach to an underside of deck 2216. Deck mount 2244 includes a flange2232 that couples to deck 2216 and slide posts 2234 rigidly coupled toflange 2232. Coupler mechanism 2214 further includes a slide member 2217that slide on posts 2234 of deck mount 224, a rotation plate 2226attached to slide member 2217, a lever 2228 hingedly attached torotation plate 2226, and a spring 2230 that biases lever 2228 towardrotation plate 2226.

[0172] Rotation plate 2226 includes a slide attachment 2236, a spacer2238, a hinge member 2240, and a spring attachment void 2241. Lever 2228includes a hinge void 2242, a lock pin 2244, a spring attachment void2246, and a release arm 2248 having a push plate 2250 thereon. Spring2230 is a coil type spring that extends between spring attachment voids2241,2246.

[0173] Slide attachment 2236 of rotation plate 2226 includes apertures2252 positioned to align with similar apertures 2254 in slide 2216 toreceive bolts or another suitable couplers. Spacer 2238 is coupled,preferably by welding, to slide attachment 2236 and rotation plate 2226and includes a hinge pin 2256 extending upwardly therefrom. Hinge pin2256 in positioned in hinge void 2242 of lever 2228 to allow lever 2228to rotate thereon. Hinge member 2240 includes a vertical plate, ahorizontally extending, threaded hinge pin 2258, an upper rotation stop2260, a lower rotation stop 2262, a lock pin void 2264 and springattachment void 2241.

[0174] Release arm 2248 is a substantially flat piece of metal havinghinge void 2242 defined in a first end 2266 thereof. Push plate 2250 isa substantially flat piece of metal perpendicularly coupled to a secondend 2286 of release arm 2248. Spring attachment void 2246 is disposed ina metal appendage 2270 that extends upwardly from release arm 2248. Lockpin 2244 extends horizontally from a metal flange 2272 that extendsdownwardly from release arm 2248. Spring 2230 biases lock pin 2244 to afirst position within lock pin void 2264.

[0175] Threaded hinge pin 2258 is positioned within attachment void 2221of attachment portion 2220. Washers 2274, 2276 are positioned on hingepin 2258 and a nut 2278 is threaded onto hinge pin 2258 to rotatablysecure attachment portion 2220 of rail member 2212 to rotation plate2226 of coupling mechanism 2214. Lock void 2223 is positioned such thatwhen lever 2228 is in first position and rail member 2212 is in a raisedposition, lock pin 2244 extends through lock pin void 2264 and lock void2223 to prevent relative motion between rail member 2212 and deck 2216.

[0176] Depressing push plate 2250 places lever 2228 in a secondposition. During movement of lever 2228 to the second position, lock pin2244 is removed from lock void 2223 to permit attachment portion 2220 torotate relative to rotation plate 2226 in direction 2280. This alsomoves rail member 2212 to a lowered position as shown in FIGS. 136, 138.Clockwise rotation of attach portion 2220 is limited by upper rotationstop 2260 so that rail member 2212 cannot move beyond the loweredposition. Likewise, from the lowered position, rotation incounterclockwise direction 2282, moves rail member 2212 to the raisedposition. Counterclockwise rotation of attach portion 2220 is limited bylower rotation stop 226 so that rail member 2212 cannot move past theraised position. When in this position, lock pin 2264 aligns with lockvoid 2223 as shown in FIGS. 135, 137 to lock rail member 2212 in theraised position.

[0177] A removable rail member 2284 is shown in FIGS. 78 and 79. Railmember 2284 includes an attachment housing 2286 and a rail member 2288.Attachment housing 2286 is substantially rectangular and is configuredto slidably over rail member 2212 as shown in FIG. 78. As shown in FIG.79, rail member 2288 includes a perimeter rail 2290 and two interiorsupport struts 2292 to that couple perimeter rail 2290 to attachmenthousing 2286. Rail member 2284 provides siderail 2210 with greatercoverage and permits removal for greater access to the patient.

[0178] Another alternative embodiment blocker 358 is shown in FIG. 80.Blocker 358 includes a wedge shaped foam core 360 and a cover 362coupled to a cover 364 of mattress 356. As shown in FIG. 81, blocker 358covers or blocks access to gap 354. When siderails 324, 328 are rotatedto the lowered position, blocker 358 rotates to the outside of siderail324, 328 as shown in FIG. 82. When siderails 324, 328 are raised again,blocker 358 is flipped back over rails 324, 328 to the position shown inFIG. 81.

[0179] Another alternative embodiment patient support 2510 is shown inFIGS. 83 and 84 having a frame 2512, a deck 2514 supported by frame2512, a mattress 2518 positioned on deck 2514, and siderails 2516coupled to deck 2514. Each siderail 2516 includes a base 2520, a linkage2522, and a rail member 2524.

[0180] As shown in FIG. 85, base 2520 includes a vertical plate 2534,linkage attachment flange 2526 extending from plate 2534, deckattachment flange 2528 extending from plate 2534, rail attachment hinge2530 coupled to plate 2534, and a position lock 2532 coupled to verticalplate 2534. Plate 2534 is a preferably a substantially flat metalrectangle. Deck attachment flange 2528 is a flat metal flange thatextends perpendicularly to plate 2534. Deck attachment flange 2528 ispositioned between mattress 2518 and deck 2514 and has a plurality ofapertures (not pictured) defined therein so that fasteners can be passedthrough the aperture to fasten base 2520 to deck 2514. Alternatively,the siderail is coupled to the remainder of the patent support by thedeck attachment flange being frictionally or otherwise coupled to thedeck and/or mattress.

[0181] Linkage attachment flange 2526 are flat metal flanges that extendperpendicularly to plate 2534 away from mattress 2518. Linkageattachment flange 2526 have holes 2536 defined therein for receiving asuitable coupler 2538. Rail attachment hinge 2530 is preferably a strapof seatbelt-like material. Hinge 2530 has a mating snap at both endssuch that the material couples to base 2520 and to rail member 2524 thatalso has a snap clasp thereon. Rail attachment hinge 2530 allows railmember 2524 to pivot relative to base 2520. Position lock 2532 is aplastic piece mounted on plate 2534. Position lock 2532 is substantiallyrectangular and includes rounded corners, a lock track 2540, and twolips 2542. Lock track 2540 is a channel positioned between lips 2542that extends along the outer edge of position lock 2532. Lock track 2540is sized to receive a lock bar 2544 of linkage 2522. Position lock 2532also includes holes 2546 that receive connectors that couple positionlock 2532 to plate 2534.

[0182] Linkage 2522 includes a lock bar 2544, two slide base connectorsor linkages 2550 slidably and rotatably coupled to base 2520, and tworail connectors 2552 fixedly coupled to rail member 2524. Lock bar 2544is a bent aluminum rod including a first end 2554, second end 2556, andmiddle 2558 positioned between first end 2554 and second end 2556. Firstend 2554 is partially threaded to receive a nut thereon and issubstantially straight. Moving from first end 2554 toward middle 2558,lock bar 2544 makes a rounded 90-degree bend, has a first displacementsection 2560, makes a second 90-degree bend, and then forms middle 2558that is parallel with first end 2554. Moving from middle 2558 towardsecond end 2560 lock bar 2544 makes a rounded 90-degree bend, has asecond displacement section 2562 parallel with first displacementsection 2560, makes another 90-degree bend, and then forms partiallythreaded second end 2556 that is collinear with first end 2554. Middle2558 of lock bar 2544 has a diameter sized to be received within locktrack 2540 of position lock 2532.

[0183] Slide base linkages 2550 are generally flat metal elongatedmembers each having an upper end 2564, a lower end 2566, an elongatedhole or track 2568 defined therein extending from upper end 2564 tolower end 2566, and a lock bar aperture 2570 at upper end 2564. Track2568 is sized to receive coupler 2538 therein so that linkage 2520 isthereby slidably coupled to base 2520 as coupler 2538 is able to slideto a plurality of positions within track 2568. Lock bar aperture 2570 ispreferably separated from track 2568; however, embodiments areenvisioned where a washer is provided that is welded over track 2569thereby partitioning off part of track 2569 that the washer defines thelock bar aperture.

[0184] Rail connectors 2552 are flat rounded rectangle metal platesincluding lock bar holes 2574 and rail connecting holes 2576. Lock barholes 2574 are sized to receive ends 2554, 2556 of lock bar 2544therethrough. Rail connecting holes 2576 are sized to receive a suitableconnector to couple rail connectors 2552 to rail members 2524. Whenassembled, ends 2554, 2556 of lock bar 2544 extend through lock barapertures 2570 of linkages 2522 and holes 2574 of rail connectors 2552.A nut or other fastener is provided on ends 2554, 2556 to hold lock bar2544 in the respective apertures.

[0185] Rail member 2524 includes an endoskeleton or inner support member2578 and a cushion 2580. Endoskeleton 2578 is constructed from plasticor other substantially rigid material having a substantially triangularcross section. Endoskeleton 2578 includes a first solid side 2582, asecond solid side 2584 coupled to first solid side 2582, two ends 2586each coupled to both solid sides 2582, 2584, and an open side defined bysides 2582, 2584 and ends 2586. First solid side 2582 is spaced apartfrom base 2520 of siderail 2516. First solid side 2582 curves as itmeets second solid side 2584. Second solid side 2584 has snap claspsattached thereto to attach to snaps of rail attachment hinge 2530. Ends2586 are substantially triangular and have holes defined therein forreceiving a suitable connector to couple rail connectors 2552 to railmembers 2524. Cushion 2580 includes a soft inner portion (not pictured)and a pliable plastic cover 2588. Soft inner portion covers the outsideof endoskeleton 2578 on all sides except the open side. Inner portion ispreferably thicker outside first solid side 2582 and ends 2586 than itis outside second solid side 2584. Plastic cover 2588 is preferablyliquid proof and combines with endoskeleton 2578 to encompasses innerportion.

[0186] In operation, siderails 2516 may assume three positions, a raisedposition, shown in FIGS. 83 and 85, an extended position shown in FIG.84, and an egress position shown in FIG. 88. In the raised position, theportion of cover 2588 outside second side 2584 rests upon mattress 2518,coupler 2538 is located near the lower end 2566 of track 2568, secondsolid side 2584 forms a substantially right angle with plate 2534 ofbase 2520, and middle 2558 of lock bar 2544 is in lock track 2540 ofposition lock 2532. To move a siderail 2516 from raised position toextended position, middle 2558 of lock bar 2544 is first raised todisengage lock bar 2544 from lock track 2540. Rail member 2524 can thenbe rotated relative to ends 2554, 2556 of lock bar 2544 as slide baselinkage 2550 lowers relative to coupler 2538 as shown in FIG. 86. Railattachment hinge 2530 maintains a connection with base 2520 and railmember 2524 so that rail member 2524 rotates around a pivot provided byrail attachment hinge 2530. Rail member 2524 rotates slightly less than180-degrees to arrive at extended position shown in FIGS. 84 and 87.Similarly, rotating rail member 2524 back into contact with mattress2518 and engaging lock bar 2544 in lock track 2540 places siderail 2516back in raised position.

[0187] To move siderail 2516 from the raised position to the egressposition middle 2558 of lock bar 2544 is first raised to disengage lockbar 2544 from lock track 2540. Rail attachment 2530 is disengaged frombase 2520 or rail member 2524 thereby allowing rail member 2524 andlinkage 2522 to rotate around coupler 2538 of linkage attachment 2530.Rail member 2524 rotates to arrive at egress position shown in FIG. 88.Similarly, rotating rail member 2524 back into contact with mattress2518, attaching rail attachment 2530 to base 2520 and rail member 2524,and engaging lock bar 2544 in lock track 2540 places siderail 2516 backin raised position.

[0188] Preferably, instructions for the assembly, installation, and/oruse of the patient supports and other devices disclosed herein areprovided with the patient supports of other devices or otherwisecommunicated to permit a person or machine to assemble, install and/oruse the patient supports and other devices. Such instructions mayinclude a description of any or all portions of patient supports anddevices and/or any or all of the above-described assembly, installation,and use of the patient supports and devices. Furthermore, suchinstructions may describe the environment in which patient supports anddevices are used. The instructions may be provided on separate papersand/or the packaging in which the patient support or other devices aresold or shipped. Furthermore, the instructions may be embodied as text,pictures, audio, video, or any other medium or method of communicatinginstructions known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

[0189] Although the invention has been described in detail withreference to certain preferred embodiments, variations and modificationsexist within the scope and spirit of the present invention.

1. A method of altering a perimeter profile of a siderail including thesteps of: removing a first perimeter cover from a location on a railmember; and coupling a second perimeter cover to the location of therail member to alter a perimeter profile of the siderail.
 2. The methodof claim 1, wherein the coupling of the second perimeter cover increasesthe dimensions of the perimeter profile of the siderail compared to theperimeter profile before the first perimeter cover was removed.
 3. Themethod of claim 1, wherein coupling the second perimeter cover to therail member decrease a gap defined between the siderail and an adjacentsiderail.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein coupling the secondperimeter cover to the rail member changes a portion of the perimeterprofile from substantially flat before the first perimeter cover wasremoved to substantially curved.
 5. A siderail for use with a patientsupport comprising: a rail member; a first perimeter cover configured tocouple to the rail member at a first location to define a firstperimeter profile of the siderail; and a second perimeter coverconfigured to couple to the rail member at the first location when thefirst perimeter cover is removed to define a second perimeter profilethat is different than the first perimeter profile.
 6. The siderail ofclaim 5, wherein a portion of the first perimeter profile has asubstantially flat portion adjacent the first location of the railmember and the second perimeter profile has a substantially curvedportion adjacent the first location.
 7. The siderail of claim 5, whereinthe second perimeter profile has a greater height and length than thefirst perimeter profile.
 8. The siderail of claim 5, wherein the secondperimeter profile includes a convex portion.
 9. The siderail of claim 8,wherein the second perimeter profile further includes a concave portion.10. A patient support including a frame including a pair of posts, aheadboard including a pair of apertures, an adapter configured to mountto the posts of the frame, the adapter including a pair of post, theapertures of the headboard being sized to fit over the posts of theadapter.
 11. The patient support of claim 10, wherein the posts of theadapter are spaced apart by a first distance and the posts of the frameare spaced apart by a second distance that is greater than the firstdistance.
 12. The patient support of claim 10, wherein the posts of theframe and the posts of the adapter extend upwardly.
 13. A method ofaltering a patient support including the steps of: removing a firstheadboard from a frame of a patient support; attaching an adapter toframe of the patient support; and attaching a second headboard to theadapter.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the adapter includes a bodyand a plurality of posts coupled to the body, the body includes aplurality of voids defined therein sized and spaced to receive posts ofthe frame.
 15. The method of claim 13, wherein the first headboard is ofa different width than the second headboard.
 16. The method of claim 15,wherein the first headboard is substantially wider than the secondheadboard.
 17. A method for altering a patient support includes a decksupport, an articulating deck, a first siderail coupled to thearticulating deck, and a second siderail, the method comprising thesteps of: uncoupling the first siderail from the articulating deck andcoupling the first siderail to the deck support.
 18. The method of claim17, further comprising the steps of providing a sub-frame, and couplingthe sub-frame to the deck support, wherein the first siderail is coupledto the deck support through the sub-frame.
 19. A sub-frame forsupporting at least one siderail of a patient support, the patientsupport including at least one siderail, an articulating deck and a decksupport having at least one post, the sub-frame comprising: a bodymember; a first deck support mount including an aperture adapted toreceive at least one of the posts of the deck support of the patientsupport therein, a second deck support mount adapted to couple to thedeck support, the body member extending between the first deck supportmount and the second deck support mount, and a rail mount adapted tosupport at least one siderail of the patient support.
 20. The sub-frameof claim 19, wherein the rail mount includes a pair of spaced-apart rodsconfigured to permit sliding of the siderail thereon.
 21. The sub-frameof claim 19, further comprising a lateral member configured to extendlaterally from the body member which is extending longitudinally. 22.The sub-frame of claim 21, further comprising another body member,another first deck support mount including an aperture adapted toreceive at least one post of the deck support of the patient supporttherein, a second deck support mount adapted to couple to the decksupport, and a rail mount adapted to support at least one siderail ofthe patient support, wherein the lateral member couples the body memberstogether.
 23. A patient support including: a frame, a mattress supportedby the frame, a first siderail coupled to the frame and including afirst rail member having a first edge that is substantially straight; asecond siderail coupled to the frame and including a second rail memberhaving a second edge that is substantially straight and parallel withthe first edge and a third edge that is tangential with the second edge,the third edge being rounded and having a radius of curvature of about8.5 inches, the first edge and the second and third edges defining aminimum gap therebetween such that the minimum gap remains of asubstantially constant width as the mattress is moved from oneconfiguration to another by the frame.
 24. A siderail for use with apatient support, the siderail being configured to move between a raisedposition and a lowered position, the siderail comprising: a rail member;and a rail extension coupled to the rail member, the rail extensionmoves between an extended position relative to the rail member when thesiderail is in a raised position and a non-extended position relative tothe rail member when the siderail is in a lowered position.
 25. Thesiderail of claim 24, further comprising a linkage, wherein the linkagecauses the rail extension to move between the extended and non-extendedpositions.
 26. The siderail of claim 25, wherein the linkage directlycontacts the rail extension to cause the rail extension to move betweenthe extended and non-extended positions.
 27. The siderail of claim 25,wherein the linkage contacts an actuator that causes the rail extensionto move between the extended and retracted positions.
 28. The siderailof claim 25, wherein the linkage is a clocking linkage.
 29. The siderailof claim 25, wherein the rail extension is pivotably coupled to a loweredge of the rail member.
 30. The siderail of claim 29, furthercomprising a linkage configured to permit raising and lowering of therail member, wherein the rail extension is positioned above the linkage.31. The siderail of claim 29, further comprising a linkage configured topermit raising and lowering of the rail member, wherein the railextension extends below an upper-most portion the linkage.
 32. A methodof altering patient support gaps including the steps of: providing a gapwithin a siderail; and coupling a transparent plastic sheet to thesiderail so as to cover the gap.
 33. A patient support comprising: aframe including a deck support and an articulating deck having a headsection, a mattress supported by the deck, a siderail supported by theframe; and a patient assist arm coupled to the head section of the deckbetween a head end of the head section and the siderail.
 34. The patientsupport of claim 33, wherein the siderail is of a length greater thanfifty percent of the overall length of the patient support.
 35. Apatient support comprising: a head end siderail having a notch definedin an upper edge; and a foot end siderail having a notch defined in anupper edge.
 36. The patient support of claim 35, wherein the upper endgeof the head end siderail includes an S-shaped portion.
 37. A patientsupport comprising: a frame; a mattress supported on the frame; and ahead board pivotably coupled to the frame, the head board includinglongitudinally extending portions positioned to block egress of apatient from longitudinal sides of the mattress.
 38. A siderail for usewith a patient support comprising: a rail member defining gaps therein,and a plurality of bumpers positioned within the gaps to lessen the sizeof the gaps.
 39. The siderail of claim 38, wherein the bumpers arecircular.
 40. The siderail of claim 38, wherein the bumpers are shapedas half cylinders.
 41. The siderail of claim 38, wherein rail memberincludes a corer and at least one of the bumpers is positioned in thecorner.
 42. The siderail of claim 38, wherein at least one of thebumpers includes a channel sized to receive a portion of the railmember.
 43. The siderail of claim 38, wherein at least one of thebumpers is tubular.
 44. A patient support comprising: a frame; amattress supported by the frame; a siderail coupled to the frame; and ablocker pivotably coupled to the mattress to block access to a gapdefined between the mattress and the siderail.
 45. The siderail of claim44, wherein the blocker includes a strap coupled to the mattress.
 46. Apatient support comprising: a frame including a deck support and a deck;and a mattress having a plurality of magnets coupled thereto, the deckincluding a plurality of magnet-receiving voids configured to receivethe magnets of the mattress therein.
 47. The patient support of claim46, wherein the magnet-receive voids are defined by ferrous metalportions.
 48. A patient support comprising: a deck; a mattress supportedby the deck; a siderail; and a rigid flap hingedly coupled to the deckand positioned between the siderail and the mattress.
 49. The patientsupport of claim 48, wherein the flap includes a main flap and anauxiliary flap pivotally coupled to the main flap.
 50. The patientsupport of claim 48, wherein the flap has a raised first position and alowered second position.
 51. The patient support of claim 48, whereinthe flap is in a raised position when the siderail is in a raisedposition and the flap is in a lowered position when the siderail is in alowered position.
 52. A patient support comprising: a deck; a mattresssupported by the deck; a siderail coupled to the deck; and a mattressretainer coupled to the deck laterally between the siderail and themattress, the mattress retainer being movable between a raised firstposition and a lowered second position.
 53. The patient support of claim52, wherein the mattress retainer is in the first position when thesiderail is in a raised position and the mattress retainer is in thesecond position when the siderail is in a lowered position.
 54. Asiderail for use with a patient support comprising: a rail memberconfigured to block egress of a patient from the patient support, therail member including an inwardly facing surface and an outwardly facingsurface; a linkage configured to permit raising and lowering of thepatient support; and a horizontal extension coupled to the rail memberand extending laterally inwardly away from the inwardly facing surfaceof the rail member.
 55. The siderail of claim 54, wherein the horizontalextension is triangular.
 56. The siderail of claim 54, wherein thehorizontal extension is pivotably coupled to the rail member.
 57. Thesiderail of claim 56, wherein the horizontal extension is coupled to anupper portion of the rail member.
 58. A patient support comprising: aframe; a mattress supported by the frame; and a substantially U-shapedpatient assist arm coupled to the frame.
 59. The patient support ofclaim 58, wherein the frame includes a deck support and a decksupporting the mattress and the patient assist arm is pivotally coupledto the deck.
 60. The patient support of claim 58, further including arail member that is removably coupled to the patient assist arm.
 61. Thepatient support of claim 60, wherein the removable rail member providesgreater longitudinal coverage against egress of a patient than thepatient assist arm.
 62. A patient support comprising: a frame; amattress supported by the frame; and a siderail positioned to blockegress from the mattress; the siderail including a wedge-shaped member,a bracket positioned between the mattress and the frame, a linkagepivotably coupling the wedge-shaped member to the bracket, a hingepivotably coupling the wedge-shaped member to the bracket, and a lockconfigured to block movement of the wedge-shaped member relative to thebracket.